We really need to add this gem to the FAQ's on adjusting for neutral! It worked like a charm. Heck, I have gotten so good and making that adjustment, with nothing happening, that this fix didn't take long at all. I had to make the shims out of shim stock, but it wasn't very hard to do. I also shimmed some of the play out of the shaft that runs in the hydro itself, as it appeared that it was also adding to the play.
"Jim/John-
Have either of you shimmed part #1 in this diagram? It usually wears on the trunion shaft and gets really loose. Lately, my hydro linkage problems on most of my hydros, 1450 and 1650 included, have been this, and not a worn trunion slot. Get some 5/8" ID by .010" thick shims, and add them between #1 and the snap ring until you can't get the snap ring on, then remove one shim and install the snap ring. That should fix your problems. I welded up the trunion on my 1450, and it wasn't fixed until I did this. You could also replace that cam plate, but this will do about the same thing."
1